Many of the programs listed by the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, a division of the American Psychological Association, are in graduate programs that are highly selective, admitting a very small percentage of applicants. Most schools devoted several of their faculty to the pediatric concentration. All programs had a small number of students, and many focused on evidence-based treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy, or the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Most ranked in the top 100 best clinical psychology programs by U.S. News and World Report.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill clinical psychology program is ranked second by U.S. News and accepted just two percent of its applicants. The program offers a child-and-family track, with seven faculty devoted to the track and 13 students. Students have the opportunity to conduct research in a number of research labs and are matched with a faculty member as their research mentor. Students have practicum experience providing children and families with therapy at the UNC Department of Psychology Community Clinic and at the Pediatric Neurology Clinic, where students conduct evaluations of children with neurological disorders.
The University of Washington clinical psychology program was also ranked second by U.S. News. There are six faculty devoted to the clinical child track with 27 students. The training focuses on developmental psychopathology and clinical science. The focus of the program is primarily research-based, preparing graduates for significant contributions in clinical child psychology. The UW program emphasizes flexibility, encouraging students to work towards their own specialized clinical research goals, including working with faculty in a collegial relationship, such as at the Autism Center where children receive evaluations and interventions for the autism spectrum disorder.
Duke University ranked sixth according to U.S. News and accepted three percent of all applicants. The department devotes six faculty to the child clinical domain with 12 students. The goal is to turn out graduates who are outstanding scientists and clinicians. There are a number of opportunities to pursue specific interests, like pediatric psychology and gene-environment interaction, as well as research at the Duke Institute for Brain Science or the Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy.
The University of Kansas clinical child psychology program also ranked sixth by U.S. News and selected under five percent of its applicants. The program commits five core faculty to thirty students. Graduates are trained to be leaders in research and in the practice of child, adolescent and family clinical psychology. The program provides rich opportunities for research and training, such as three additional psychology departments at KU plus the Pediatric Psychology Divisions at the KU Medical Center. One of the training orientations focuses on addressing children’s problems in the context of the child’s environment, such as the child’s school, home and community, providing additional opportunities throughout the surrounding cities.